Yep Roc Records is proud to announce the signing of Toronto ensemble Rock Plaza Central to its roster.

Rock Plaza Central is a Toronto-based seven-piece ensemble originally formed in 1997 by lead-singer and guitarist Chris Eaton. This incarnation of the band (Don Murray - mandolin, trumpet, backing vocals, Blake Howard - drums, percussion, Rob Carson - guitar, banjo, trombone and horse noises, Fiona Stewart - violin, Scott Maynard - bass, piano, backing vocals, John Whytock - accordion, trumpet, mellophone, glockenspiel) was formed in 2003. RPC carries on in the psychedelic-folk tradition of Neutral Milk Hotel and adds a new chapter to the musical saga of the indie-lush city of Toronto. While incorporating carnival rhythms and Waits-like moods, the band also succeeds in delivering the dusty soul associated with roots-rock monoliths like The Band.

What the critics are already saying about Are We Not Horses:

"Just beyond the reach of verbs and adjectives… surefooted and evocative… supremely affecting and unique. 8.4 / 10" - PITCHFORK

"On the verge. #8 album of 2006." - CMJ

"Be joyful / my children, be joyful" is repeated like a mantra - as if the repetitions could cause happiness through force of will" - NPR (NPR Song of the Day, 1-15-07)

Yep Roc Records will release Rock Plaza Central's album Are We Not Horses on April 17, 2007. Are We Not Horses is the band's critically-lauded song-cycle culled from the oral short stories of founder and novelist Chris Eaton (The Inactivist and The Grammar Architect - Insomniac Press) which reveal the triumphs and tragedies of a race of robotic horses. RPC will perform at 12pm during Yep Roc's SXSW day party at Havana's (6th Street, Austin TX), and their rock showcase at Bourbon Rocks (6th Street, Austin, TX). Both performances will take place on Friday, March 16th.

Yep Roc co-founder Glenn Dicker offered these enthusiastic words following the announcement, "We are feverish at the thought of signing Rock Plaza Central. This is a group that makes music that will last and deeply affect people. That's our ultimate goal when we get involved with a project."

Eaton mirrored the label's excitement, "It was important to us to find a label that understood where we were coming from as band. And not just our musical vision, but also the importance of family to our group, and Yep Roc immediately got that. Also, we've read a lot of stuff online about the disc being hard to find in the US, so we're happy to fix that problem. We can't wait to really get our music out there."